Heavenly Demon Pavilion.
As usual, Wi Seoryeon and Wi Ji-cheon were enjoying some gambling.
Wi Seoryeon shuffled the tiles and spoke up.
“Things have been quite noisy at the sect lately.”
“The world is loud, so the sect can’t help but be affected,” Wi Ji-cheon replied.
Though the Heavenly Demon Sect is a closed-off organization, it didn’t mean they were completely unaware of happenings in the Central Plains Martial World.
With the Blood Sect stirring up trouble and flaunting their power by parading entities, the Martial Forest Alliance found themselves on the defensive.
Hearing about the situation in the Central Plains, the martial artists of the Heavenly Demon Sect were puffing up with pride.
Fundamentally, the Heavenly Demon Sect and the Righteous Faction were rivals. Daily news came in about those who once labeled the Heavenly Demon Sect a den of evil, now struggling against the entities of the Blood Sect due to neglecting their training.
Yet, how about the Heavenly Demon Sect? They had numerous Array Formation Teams engaged in rigorous training continuously alongside longstanding traditions.
Even with the Blood Sect rampaging across the world, they hadn’t dared show their faces in Xin Gang, enough to boost the morale of the Demon Sect members.
“I may be a bit over the top, but having the morale of the sect members high can’t hurt, right?”
“Indeed.”
Wi Ji-cheon nodded in agreement with Wi Seoryeon’s statement.
The chaos triggered by the Blood Sect was working in favor of the Heavenly Demon Sect currently.
Feeling assured by the protection of the Array Formation Teams that hindered the Blood Sect’s turmoil, the dedicated sect members were energetically going about their daily tasks, and the martial artists of the Array Formation Teams were energized by the respect shown by the members.
“By the way, have you heard any news about Ho Cheon-an?”
“I haven’t heard anything special either.”
“It’s been quite some time since I heard rumors about him disappearing from the Martial Forest Alliance. I wonder what he’s up to now…”
Wi Seoryeon shook her head. Wi Ji-cheon offered some comfort, laying down the tiles in front of her.
“Perhaps he’s preparing some scheme.”
“Yes. It’s not like the world is that big; he might be having a fantastic adventure somewhere.”
Wi Ji-cheon could read the expressed emotions behind Wi Seoryeon’s words.
‘Hmm.’
Wi Ji-cheon had become a Heavenly Demon at a not-so-young age. Before he became a candidate for the position, he was just an ordinary martial artist from a common sect member’s household.
He hadn’t had experiences grand enough to boast about but enjoyed a decent amount of freedom.
However, Wi Seoryeon’s situation was different.
Born as the daughter of the Heavenly Demon, she grew up as a candidate and later became the Heavenly Demon.
Her life was clearly distant from freedom, and thus she had no friends to speak of.
Until she met Ho Cheon-an and his companions, led by the black cat.
As she started to pay attention to Ho Cheon-an and the news about his companions, she might have developed a desire to traverse the world.
Or perhaps she just missed having a new gambling partner or friend.
‘Surely, Ho Cheon-an won’t come here to this Demon Sect until the Blood Sect’s disturbance is dealt with.’
Thoughts of Ho Cheon-an filled Wi Ji-cheon with light anticipation.
He knew that Ho Cheon-an was prepared since he rejected the Blood Sect’s approach when they sent a messenger.
It was hard to imagine Ho Cheon-an just folding under the pressure after being cornered by the Blood Ancestor.
He surely had enough preparation time; that was Wi Ji-cheon’s judgment of Ho Cheon-an.
‘Just how are you going to overcome this situation?’
“Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Excuse me while I’m resting!”
Such curiosity about the situation was abruptly resolved by a martial artist who rushed into the Heavenly Demon Pavilion.
“Currently, the Bicheongmacha is approaching Black Dragon Castle. How should we handle this?”
Wi Ji-cheon and Wi Seoryeon exchanged glances.
* *
When I was helping Hyeok Gi-rin practice gambling at the campsite, I once thought about what it would feel like to pat that petite head in front of me.
“Howww…”
Only now did I find the answer.
Swish. Swish.
An uncontrollable sense of satisfaction started rising through my hand. The perfect warm softness, just the right amount of cozy warmth, and its gentle feel.
How did it come to this?
Squeak!
It was all thanks to Seo Gong, who looked at me with a face full of dissatisfaction.
To calm my anxious heart, I placed Seo Gong on my lap and began to knead him like dough for some time. Eventually, unable to hold it in any longer, Seo Gong leaped away from my arms, leaving me reaching for only thin air.
“Um, um, would you like to pat my head?!”
Hyeok Gi-rin suddenly thrusting his head forward was the cause.
It was touching that he offered his head up to relieve my tension, and I’d often thought about wanting to pet Hyeok Gi-rin’s head while we were gambling at the campsite, so here we are in this odd situation.
Why didn’t I pet Hyeok Gi-rin back then?
The thought that I had lived a life losing out came rushing back, making me feel a bit wronged.
A profound, raging fury filled my heart!
That rage guided my hand!
Hyeok Gi-rin’s cheeks, now as red as a ripe persimmon from embarrassment, were caught in my hand!
Squeeze.
What should I call that sensation? A delightful blend of softness and elasticity enveloped my fingers, and deeper than that, a satisfaction began to well up inside me.
Watching Dang So-yeol and the black cat plotting to get Hyeok Gi-rin’s cheeks, I predicted that Hyeok Gi-rin’s cheeks would showcase an adorable touch, but reality was far beyond my imagination.
A betrayal by my companions.
Did they enjoy this amazing thing all to themselves…?
The thought that I had lost a fair share of life crossed my mind.
“Sorry to interrupt your good time, but we’re arriving soon.”
They say time flies when you’re having fun, and before I knew it, we were already at the gates of Black Dragon Castle.
As I took my hand away from Hyeok Gi-rin’s cheek, he looked at me with a worried expression.
Why would Hyeok Gi-rin stick out his head if he hates being treated like a child?
It’s obvious he wanted to help me, right?
Perhaps because of that generous heart, the anxiety that had me restless had remarkably calmed down.
Bam!
The Bicheongmacha came to a complete stop.
I took a moment to glance at my companions. After scanning the supportive gazes of my comrades, I opened the door of the Bicheongmacha.
Immediately, a throng of Demon Sect martial artists lined up in front of Black Dragon Castle came into view.
Simultaneously, a wave of their oppressive aura crashed over my body.
Having anticipated this state, I circulated my Brain Qi and unleashed my aura to shield myself from theirs. Hundreds of martial artists were emanating a fierce momentum toward me, but my gaze was fixed on one person standing in their midst.
When that person raised a hand, the oppressive aura that weighed down on me vanished completely.
The one raising a fist was Heavenly Demon Wi Seoryeon.
“You certainly have the guest token I issued you, don’t you?”
Standing at the center of the hundreds of martial artists, Wi Seoryeon spoke with an impressive posture befitting her title as the Heavenly Demon.
“However, are you truly Ho Cheon-an, the Brain Knife Outcast to whom I gave that token?”
Her eyes reflected not even a trace of affection toward me.
“Or are you the blood descendant of the Blood Sect leader?”
Conversely, what filled the space was her impeccable demeanor as the Heavenly Demon.
“If not, are you a coward relying on mere connections to evade your crisis?”
A strong will to uncover my intentions in visiting the Heavenly Demon Sect flowed from her.
“Answer me!”
Zzztzzzt!!
If I didn’t answer immediately, it felt like the teeth of the Black Dragon Qi would rip me apart.
This was the Heavenly Demon Sect, and the person I was facing was the Heavenly Demon herself.
What I needed to prove first was not my innocence.
It was my power.
Rumbling!!!
My Brain Qi began to spin faster than before, and the sound resonated clearly. The Black Dragon Qi, which had been gnawing at me, hesitated.
The Black Dragon Qi must have sensed that the prey it was pursuing had suddenly stiffened.
Throughout my training with Oh Seong-jin and Six Star Chen, my martial arts knowledge expanded significantly.
To defeat Jeong Cheol, a martial artist stronger than me, I twisted every branch of possibility with my hands and left only one strike left to deliver.
And atop those snapped branches, a new possibility called Six Star Chen settled.
Just like perfume lingers on the paper that wrapped it, the principles I’d learned while connecting with my companions stayed a little in my heart.
Chasing only the principles for a single fatal strike had been a big milestone for me.
Moreover, practicing those formations was, after all, part of martial arts training.
How much effort have I put into mastering Oh Seong-jin and Six Star Chen so far? Naturally, my skills had to have improved.
Boom!!!
I forcefully unleashed condensed Brain Qi. Even the Black Dragon Qi, known to be the deadliest in the world, couldn’t withstand the energy explosion and scattered to the winds.
In that moment, I felt a refreshing sensation deep within my heart.
Wi Seoryeon had merely pressured me through the Black Dragon Qi, and I had desperately struggled to shake it off.
Yet, at this very moment, I shook off the Black Dragon Qi which I hadn’t been able to dispel even once during dozens of matches with Wi Seoryeon!
The Black Dragon Qi dissipated feebly.
Martial artists from the Heavenly Demon Sect opened their eyes wide, witnessing me dispelling the Black Dragon Qi.
The Black Dragon Qi symbolized the Heavenly Demon’s strength. For martial artists of the Heavenly Demon Sect, who understood the absolute significance of the Black Dragon Qi, seeing it undone was indeed astonishing.
It was a sufficient outcome to prove I was not a weakling to be despised, but rather a formidable opponent to be respected.
A crooked smile appeared on Wi Seoryeon’s face.
She appeared pleased that I had proven myself a strong individual while simultaneously showing signs that her competitive spirit had been stirred by my display of martial prowess.
However, I could not afford to indulge her further.
Now that I had proven my strength.
“I am not here as the guest of the Heavenly Demon, Ho Cheon-an.”
It was time to reveal who I really was.
“Furthermore, I have severed ties with the Blood Ancestor, so I am neither here as his descendant, nor am I seeking help based on our connections.”
“Then who are you standing here before me?”
“I am a boy seeking revenge on the Blood Ancestor who harmed my grandfather and parents.”
Wi Seoryeon’s eyes quivered slightly.
Hadn’t the Heavenly Demon Wi Ji-cheon told her about what had transpired at the campsite?
It was a strangely typical act for Wi Ji-cheon.
“I am a martial artist who wishes for the Heavenly Demon Sect to join me in my quest for vengeance.”
“Such a foolish thought.”
“I disagree.”
I calmly spoke, expressing to her the price that would bind the Heavenly Demon Sect to my quest for revenge.
“I will challenge for the inheritance of the Heavenly Demon Arts.”
Eyes widened in shock not only on Wi Seoryeon’s face but also on those of the martial artists around her.
There was no way they could have imagined I would make such a proposal.
“And in return, I will return the original form of the Heavenly Demon Arts to you.”
“What…?”
That moment, Wi Seoryon was rendered speechless in disbelief.
[Granted.]
The permission came from Heavenly Demon Wi Ji-cheon.
